I want to read music (i'm a dummie) in Bass Clef; Any help with a method (Book or CD)?. Remember Easy Level.

Question

I've worked with Do, Re, Mi, not C, D or A, I am doing this for practice bass in a choir.

Answer 1

Ok, bass clef is pretty easy. Here's a trick to remember the lines and spaces:

On the LINES of battle: Great Big Dogs Fight Alligators
In the wide open SPACES: All Cows Eat Grass.

Think of those two phrases when looking at the staff. Start from the bottom, the bottom line is G (great), the bottom space is A (all). Move up the staff by either lines or spaces using each phrase.

Also another hint.. where the two dots of the bass clef surround the line (second from top line) that is F. The bass clef is a F clef.

GOOD LUCK!!

Oh yeah, if you're working with Do, Re, Mi type scales then just remember that Do = C. It's just going to take practice, wish you lots of luck!

Answer 2

As said before - the dots on the sign surround F (which is fa in the key of C). Find an accronym that works for you (the one mentioned above is great) to help you with the lines and spaces. If you have a blank sheet of paper - draw 5 lines (with 4 spaces) and the sign for the bass clef (it doesn't have to be pretty). Then label each line and each space going up from the bottom - line: G, B, D, F, A spaces: A, C, E, G.

If you've been working with solfege (do, re, mi, etc) in the key of C, then the second space from the bottom is DO and you can go up from there. It might help you to label these on your scratch paper as well.

BTW - each key has a different solfege so if you get a piece of music that is in a different key - ask what DO is in that key - then plot it out on you cheat sheet as to where each solfege would be.

You might want to go to a music store and buy a beginners book in any instrument that plays bass clef - such as piano, cello, double bass, trombone, tuba, etc. You don't have to want to play the instrument. Though I would get the one for the piano. But most beginning books will spend a lot of time teaching the bass clef. The staff at the music store should be able to help you pick something out that will work for you.

Answer 3

hmmm.

i read in treble, but the easiest way to read is bass is that it is also known as f clef.

the two dots hug the f line..

then go from there.

hope this helps, i dont really know any good method books...

:D

EDIT: sorry, i just read the subline of your question.

F is FA, im pretty sure.

i guess you could do your vocal excersices just finding music and working on it.

try and get it i a natural key, no flats or sharps, and work it out.

hope this helps.

Answer 4

The excellent reply given by Scratch is good to retain, but as you sing your bass part (bass II?) ask the pianist to emphasize your part whenever possible during rehearsals, especially during the difficult measures.

By doing this, your sight reading will improve through repetitiveness.